African Beads: A Book and Craft Kit (Paperback)

~ Metropolitan Museum of Art (Author) "Color, sparkle, radiance-these are qualities that make beads a treasured material throughout the world..." (more)
Key Phrases: beaded objects, beaded clothing, yellow bead, Peyote Stitch, Moderate These (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Take it from one of our 10-year-old testers, who wrote, "I've always had a love for beads that are precisely woven in an intricate design....As I turned every page [of this book] new facts and beautiful pictures jumped out at me....I couldn't wait to get started....Once I [did], I was surprised to see how easy it was....Working on the projects was very informative, relaxing, and rewarding. I would recommend this book and craft kit to anyone of my age or older!" With her report, she submitted a professional-looking daisy necklace. A 2000 Parents' Choice® Gold Award winner.

Reviewed by Ruth B. Roufberg, Parents' Choice® 2000 -- From Parents' Choice®

Product Description

In Africa beads are more than beautiful -- they are also meaningful. What they mean and how they are used are explained in this full-color book, illustrated with works of art and on-site photographs. The craft kit includes materials for making ten beadwork projects designed by expert Janet Coles: a daisy necklace, loom-woven bracelets, a picture frame, patterned rings, colorful barrettes, dangling earrings, and a love-letter necklace.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 60 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Book and Access edition (November 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684867842
• ISBN-13: 978-0684867847
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,543,624 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Deals with many aspects of beadwork, December 5, 2000

By	"dalila3105" (Argentina) - See all my reviews

I bought this book because i was attracted by the colorful beads, and also because i liked the idea that i was ready to start beding since i had all of the equipment that was necessary to begin with. In fact the items that come algong with the book, needles, thread, beads, pins, etc are very usefull to people like me who dont know how to make a knot to start bedding and dont have the basic stuff at home. However,there weren't too many instructions for the projects that could be carried out with that stuff. I was expecting a larger amount of things to do and more creative as well. Instead, there is an extensive Introduction where the culture and customs of the African people are described and the importance of the beads is emphasized. It was not what I was looking for since it wasn't concentrated on instructions but instead on historical facts.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for those who loves handcrafts, June 18, 2000

By A Customer

People who love doing unique and exotic handicrafts will find this book terrific. The art of beading is described from the simplest to the most sophisticated ones. Beginners are given a step-by-step guidance: from the basic to the most complicated techniques in creating spectacular work of art; while learning about the beauty of this African art. This book will be a marvelous gift for people who like to keep themselves busy at home.